This essay shows the basics of a persuasive essay. Some arguments are not as well developed as they could be. The writer should have done a better job of identifying experts and giving examples to support reasons. The writer stated the opposing point of view, but did not work at disproving it. The conclusion could have done a better job at summarizing the big ideas in the piece. There is no appeal to the reader.
Sample Persuasive Essay
MEA Release Item, March 2007
Equal opportunities should be given to all, no matter what religion they follow, which race they are, or what gender they are. In sports, it should be the same way. Gender is a big issue in sports. For instance, should girls be allowed to play on a boys' football team? Should a boy be allowed to play on a girls' field hockey team? The answer to these questions is yes, but there is no need to develop coed sports programs. Coed sports programs should not be assembled because it is easy for harassment to take place, there are equal sports opportunities for both genders at the present time, and there is a completely different level of play between boys and girls.
Harassment is an issue in most all schools. It would be no different with sports teams. Hazing isn't supposed to happen, but on some sports teams, it does. Just imagine a boys' team hazing a girl who just wanted to play a sport. Harassment can be painful. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health noted that girls in Massachusetts who play on boys' sports teams undergo harassment from teammates. Harassment should be prevented. There is no need to put any student-athlete in a situation that is a high risk of harassment, especially when there are equal opportunities already.
Equal opportunities to play on sports teams are given to both boys and girls. Civil Rights guarantee that girls have the same opportunity as boys to play in high school sports. If high schools have a basketball program, there would be a boys' team and a girls' team. By combining the teams, it would cut down on opportunities for student-athletes to play. There would be more spots to fill with a non-coed program. Having a coed sports program would be frustrating for girls. If girls were selected for a team, they may not get much playing time because boys are much more physically mature. At the high school level boys have much more muscle than girls.
There is a completely different level of play between boys and girls. It is proven that by age 11 or 12, boys will have more muscle mass than girls. Boys are usually more competitive than most girls. At high school age, boys are stronger and faster than girls. Mary Healy Jonas found that winning is more important to boys than it is to girls. Boys are more competitive than girls and can be intimidating. Although both girls and boys have a desire to win, boys are more apt to do whatever it takes to come out on top.
Although coed programs would save a school money, they would cost student-athletes A school does not need a coed team to allow boys to play on a girls' team or allow a girl to play on a boys' team. If a school was contemplating on whether to develop a coed sports program, the school should ask the coaches, parents and most importantly the student-athletes about their views.
A coed sports program could be positive in some ways, but they are not necessary. Student-athletes should have a lot of opportunity to play sports. A coed sports program would cut down on these opportunities. Coed sports programs should not be assembled because the level on which boys' and girls' sports are played is too different.